About the WDM Collection

The WDM is the largest human history museum in Saskatchewan with a
collection of nearly 80,000 artifacts. The Museum tells the Saskatchewan
story from the beginning of settlement to the present.

What We Collect - Big Things, Small Things

In the late 19th century, the lure of free homesteads brought tens of
thousands of people to the province. Farming was the heart of the
Saskatchewan economy. This story is reflected in one of the largest farm
machinery collections in Canada. The collection is strong in pre-1950
steam engines and tractors and field machinery of all kinds.

Did you know that Saskatchewan has more roads per capita than anywhere
else in the world? With people scattered over vast regions, from
northern forests to southern prairies, getting around was not easy. The
WDM transportation collection of canoes and boats, buggies and wagons,
locomotives and rolling stock, cars and trucks, sleighs and snowplanes,
gliders and airplanes, shows how Saskatchewan people met the challenge.

We’re Not all Tractor and Trucks

The WDM also collects the small things that give us a glimpse of
everyday life past and present - from household gadgets that Grandma
once knew to the stuff of popular culture today.

From clothing and textiles to hand tools and household furnishings,
from communication and sports equipment to business and personal
effects, and from craft items and inventions to popular culture and
entertainment, the WDM collection contains thousands of artifacts
related to living, working and playing in Saskatchewan.

Towards the Future

While the WDM is well known for celebrating the pioneer experience,
the Museum now collects artifacts that tell more contemporary stories.
There are countless examples of innovation and ingenuity, accomplishment
and creativity waiting to be shared.

Above: Saskatoon’s PapaBravo
Innovations prototype Gofer electric vehicle (EV) was built in 2010 for the
potash industry. See it in Saskatoon WDM's
Fuelled by Innovation exhibit.

What We Are Looking For

Life in Saskatchewan is what is important to the WDM - in the past
and today. City folk or rural, ordinary people or famous, recently-come
or deeply-rooted, player or fan, teacher or tradesperson, business owner
or manufacturer, miner or rancher, fisher or farmer, politician or
scientist...the WDM collects objects that reflect your Saskatchewan
experience. We are especially interested in things that show
Saskatchewan innovation, invention and ingenuity.